Parliament speaker’s election started in Yerevan

YEREVAN, April 29. /ARKA/. The Armenian parliament speaker’s election has started in Yerevan.

Two members of parliament are running for the post – head of the Republican Party of Armenia faction Galust Sahakyan and self-nominated member of the opposition Armenian National Congress faction, former premier Hrant Bagratyan.

Three opposition factions – Armenian National Congress (seven MPs), Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutiun (five MPs) and Heritage (four MPs) said they will boycott the vote. Representatives of Prosperous Armenia (36 deputies) and Orinats Yerkir (six deputies) said they will ascertain their position.

The speaker is elected in a closed ballot, by a simple majority of votes. The ruling Republican Party of Armenia is currently holding 70 seats in the 131-seat parliament, hence RPA’s Galust Sahakyan is expected to be elected with no problem.

The speaker’s post has been vacant after Hovik Abrahamyan was appointed as premier to replace Tigran Sargsyan who resigned on April 3. –0--